Differential association theory of offending behaviour

Question 1

What is the differential association theory

Answer 1

Social learning theory that explains offending behaviour

Proposes that through social interactions, people learn values, attitudes, behaviours etc

People are socialised into crime

Question 2

Who proposed the differential association theory

Answer 2

Edwin Sutherland

Question 3

What are the 2 elements to the differential association theory

Answer 3

Individuals learn attitudes towards crime

Individuals learn criminal acts

Question 4

Describe learning attitudes towards criminal behaviour/crimes

Answer 4

Sutherland proposed that people learn both pro and anti criminal attitudes from significant others

If the number of pro criminal attitudes outweighs anti criminal attitudes, the person is likely to offend

Likelihood of person offending can be calculated through:

Frequency of exposure to pro criminal attitudes
Intensity of exposure to pro criminal attitudes
Duration of exposure to pro criminal attitudes

If all are present at high levels = Criminal behaviour is likely

Question 5

Describe learning criminal acts

Answer 5

Potential offenders also learn criminal acts from peers

E.g how to spot an empty house for robbery

Learning takes place through observational learning, imitation, and direct tutoring from peers

Question 6

How does Sutherlands theory also help to understand reoffending behaviour

Answer 6

Prisoners are mixed with other prisoners of different skills and crimes

Prisoners exchange behaviour on how they offend via direct tutoring

Prisoners have expanded criminal knowledge and commit more crimes now, increasing chance of reoffending behaviour

Question 7

Evaluate the differential association theory of offending behaviour

Answer 7

Supporting research - 40% percent of sons with criminal fathers commit crimes by 18 compared to 13% with non criminal (Osborne and West) Counter - Study may also support genetic explanation

Overly deterministic - Suggests anyone associated to criminals will become a criminal regardless of their intentions/actions

Can’t be applied to all crimes - Only works for small crimes and not larger crimes e.g. murder/rape as it’s more individualistic/difficult to teach

Reductionist